WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols visited the National Gas Warrington Compressor Station on Moat Lane in Rixton to meet with CEO Jon Butterworth and hear about plans for a teaching centre of excellence, which will provide a jobs boost.
They discussed the facility’s role in the gas transmission network and the upcoming work to make it a regional teaching centre of excellence, which will create new skilled jobs locally.
The Warrington Compressor Station, commissioned in 1985 is entering a phase of refurbishment and repurposing. Current refurbishing efforts include upgrades to the control building which are already underway and are expected to reach Phase 1 completion in early 2025. Some of the equipment and pipework will contribute to the construction of a new compressor unit as part of the FutureGrid Hydrogen facility in Cumbria and advancing hydrogen innovation.
Ms Nichols MP said:”National Gas is the backbone of Britain’s energy system today – transporting gas to power stations, major industries, storage facilities, more than half a million businesses and around twenty-three million homes. They are investing heavily into their role in Britain’s energy future particularly in Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage.
“Speaking with CEO Jon Butterworth around this transition and the support needed from the Government to do it all at the pace and scale required, while keeping bills down for consumers and industry, was hugely helpful and has given me plenty to go back to Parliament with when we’re discussing these topics over the coming months.
“National Gas plan to build a core hydrogen network across Britain with Warrington set to play a key role through training initiatives and potential re-commissioning. This will support the transition from the existing network to a hydrogen based system in line with the Government’s net zero and clean energy goals.
